Electric announcing system



Nov. 11, 1941. w G. MOORE 2,262,295

ELECTRIC ANNOUNC ING SYS TEM Filed Dec. 6, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. WAL 735/? 6. MOORE.

A TTORNEY.

Nov. 11, 1941. w. G. MOORE 2,262,295

ELECTRIC ANNOUNC ING SYSTEM INVENTOR. W41. 75/? G. MOO/Q5.

M ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC ANNOUNCING SYSTEM Walter G. Moore, Pueblo, 0010.

Application December 6, 1938, Serial No. 244,208

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a service call system and is more particularly designed for use in places such as automobile eating and drinking lots, department stores, etc. where a view from one spot may be had of the entire establishment.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a system and mechanism which can be used to call attention to a particular station when service is desired at that point and which will hold its indication or signal in the operative position until the service is rendered.

Another object of the invention is to provide a call system which will be highly eflicient for use in refreshment lots where patrons are served in the automobile; which will show a visible signal for service at each automobile; and which will have a portable operating device which can be attached to the service tray in the automobile.

A further object is to provide a relay box which when the call is received will give a temporary indication at a central station that service is desired and which will maintain a signal at the station location until the service is rendered.

While particularly designed for and exceedingly valuable for use in automobile curb service lots, it will also be found useful in department stores of the type in which all the station locations are located on a single floor where their signals will be visible.

Other objects and advantages reside in the detail construction of the invention, which is designed for simplicity, economy, and efficiency. These will become more apparent from the following description.

In the following detailed description of the invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings which form a part-thereof. Like numerals refer to like parts in all views of the drawings and throughout the description.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the invention adapted for use in an automobile food and drink service lot.

Fig. 2 is a cross section through a call box i1- lustrating the operating mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a detail side elevation of the call box in place upon its supporting standard.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the upper portion of a, supporting standard.

Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram for one relay station, the other stations are similar.

The invention employs a series of supporting standards ll) of any desired construction. Each of the standards In supports a call box H at a suitable height thereon and at its top supports an electric signal lamp l2.

In an actual installation, the standards l0 also support insulators 13 between which a three wire electric cable [4 is strung. The cable 14 extends to and terminates in a signal box l5 located at a central point or station and which contains an electric bell l6 or other electric audible signal device.

A flexible cord I! of suitable length extends from each call box H to a hooked handle member l8 which carries an electric press button l9.

Normally, the member I8 is hooked over a receiving hook 40 on the side of the call box. When in use they are hooked over the door or window of the automobile or the service tray, as shown in Fig. 1, so as to conveniently position the press button 19 within reach of the customer.

In each of the call boxes II is a relay box 20 containing a first electro-magnet 2| and a second electro-magnet 22. The first electro-magnet actuates a resilient armature bar 23 to close a first pair of contacts 24. The second electromagnet 22 actuates a pivoted armature bar 25 which is pivoted at 26. The armature 25 carries a spring contact arm 21 positioned to close a second pair of contacts 28.

The armature 25 is bent to form an offset shoulder 29 which, at the closed position rests upon a projecting shelf 30, to hold the contacts 28 closed. It may be pushed from this shelf by means of a plunger 3| which terminates in a finger button 32 0n the exterior of the call box. The plunger 3| is supported at the extremity of a leaf spring 33 which is fixedly secured at its other extremity to the relay box 20, as shown at 34. The extremity of the armature bar 25 is extended downwardly so as to be positioned opposite the extremity of the plunger 3|.

Current is fed to the entire system from any suitable power source (such as a transformer 35, through a pair of feed wires 36. One of the feed wires 36 leads to the magnet 2| thence to the magnet 22. The other wire 36 is connected to a lead 31 which in turn leads through the flexible cord IT to the press button l9 thence back to the other terminal of the electro-magnets 22 so that when the press button is operated both magnets will be energized and both armature bars will be attracted.

One member of each pair of contacts 24 and 28 is connected to one of the feed wires 36. The other member of the pair 24 is connected by means of a conductor 38 with the audible signal l6. The other member of the pair of contacts v over the projecting shelf 20 sosthat when the press button is released, the bar 23 will return to its former position but the bar 25 will not;

return.

The results in a temporary closing of the -contacts 24 and a retained closing of the contacts.

28. As a result, the signal l8 will give a short indication and the signal lightJZ will remain illuminated. The waiter or other attendant will.

glance along the line of signal lights and note the. illuminatedlight. Hewill then 'go to this station to ascertain the patrons' desiresnand will pressithelplungerbutton 32.. This will push the armature b'arl25 from the. shelf 30 allowing it to fall and break the -:contacts.28 to open the circuitLto the signal lamp; .1.

Forvsom'e; installations where* an elevated signalilamp isinot :desired for necessary, the lamp may be incorporated in the relay box as indicated in broken line at A, Fig. 2, and will project its light through a lens in the side of the box as indicated in broken line at B, Fig. 2.

While a specific form of the improvement has been described and illustrated herein, it is desired to be understood that the same may be varied, Within the scope of the appended claim, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired secured byLetters Patent is:

A relay for electric announcing systems comprising: a solenoid; a swinging armature actuated by said solenoid; a resilient contact blade projecting from said armature; an electrical contact positioned in the path of said blade to be contacted thereby when said armature is actuated; a second spring arm projecting from said armature substantially at right angles thereto; an offset portion in said arm; a stationary projection :overwhich. said roffsetportion. snaps when the solenoid is :energized :tocmaintain; the zblade in contact withtthe.- contact; and av pushl'button; positionedrsoxthat. when .depressed .it..wil11 contact and..=flexv.the-.arma.toirelease lithe. offset. portion fromxsai'dxprojectionwhen desired. 1.

WALTER. G. :MOORE; 

